So...I thought it might be time to bump this old thread as EJ's play has come into question again. If I'm out of line for doing this, I'm sure the mods will lock it down.
So unfortunately, I'm more than a little concerned with his play, because I think even as a third pairing guy he's struggling a bit. In games, like last night against the Preds, where he has to play a much larger role, he REALLY struggles.
At this point I think this is probably Condor's final season in Colorado, and frankly, it should be. The contract is simply too much for a team with major cap issues to carry into next season. How it ends, I don't know, but it's gonna be time.
AJ kinda nailed it on what's going on with him. Injuries and age have taken away enough of his speed and strength to where he's simply not winning the puck battles he did before. And he knows this, and has tried to adjust accordingly. Unfortunately, hockey sense is not one of his strengths, so his attempts to try and beat the opposition with better positioning and anticipation have fallen flat. And his PK ability has gone from bad to horrendous. It kinda pains me to type this because he's definitely one of my all time favorites to wear the burgundy and blue, and I don't think the organization has ever had anyone who was more proud to wear that jersey. The fact that he did not hide his disdain for Matt Duchene was partially reflective of that, and he himself could have asked to leave during that disastrous season, and he chose to stay.
I know there's at least one poster in here who will vehemently disagree with my words here, and that's fine. It'd be boring here if we all agreed on the same things.